In Full Bloom....La Tech Fashion Show

We got a call a few weeks ago from sweet Taylor Guillot who works at Rodeo Boutique in Ruston, LA. She is a West Monroe woman in Fashion Merchandising at Louisiana Tech and asked if we wanted to be one of the boutiques featured at their annual Scholarship Fashion Show & Dinner.
I thought- Sure, why not?!

 This event was put on by the School of Human Ecology, and more specifically, an Event Planning class taught by Dr. Kathleen Heiden. The entire class was divided into groups. Some in charge of clothes, others in charge of models, some setting up the stage

and some even in charge of flowers and decorating

Come to find out, even the food we had was prepared was by a Food & Nutrition Class.

What a neat class!!!
 I had driven over the day before the event to help fit our designated models with our tees. Got to rub the head of the Bulldawg in the Student Center before the fitting...

We had a few young kids, ladies and guys modeling for us. Taylor helped me out a bunch that evening with keeping it all organized.

On a side note, she is about to embark on a really cool internship this summer at a bridal store in Dallas that hand makes their own wedding gowns. I can't imagine how fascinating that will be!! Here she is all dressed up with myself and Katie Bonnette.

 Lots of local stores were participating in this event such as Chessy's Boutique, Patton's Downtown, The Children's Shoppe, The Fashion, The Buckle of Monroe, Rodeo Boutique, Beehive Pattons Western wear, All That Jazz, Matilda Jane (Rep Samantha Lantrip), Beau Monde Boutique, the Tech Bookstore, and Erin's Attic.
  The night of the show, Brent and I drove over to Ruston not really having any idea what to expect. (Thank you to Holly and Mom for taking care of the kids). We walked into the Tonk area and were immediately greeted by Tech 21

- For dinner, you had a choice of 3 different meals- 1) Jambalaya or 2) Pork Loin Kabobs or 3) Margarita Chicken.

The food was divided into three different stations.

Brent had the pork and I had the chicken. It was good!  They had tasty parfaits out too

They also had a lemonade and tea stand up.

The centerpieces were cute-fresh cut flowers in head pieces which carried out the theme of "In Full Bloom".

We sat with Taylor's family (Kenny and Michelle Guillot and bother Kendall), Rodeo Boutique owner Katie Bonnette and friend Fran Ewing.

  The show was emceed by the new Miss Tech, Eva Edinger. She was a pretty red head who did a nice job describing what everyone was wearing.

The event appeared to be a sellout for the students.

Our section started out with adorable little Kaia Robinson in the hot pink Butterfly tee

,

,skirt and boots. She knew how to work the runway!!

Next was Malaika Minnifield in the v-neck Magnolia tee.

And then Eric Hartupee had on the striped War Buffalo tee and Mr P's Logo hat.

Then, Scarlett Stroud wore the American Flag tank with the Red Oak Tree Bag and cut offs.

Pretty Artesha Elmore had on the Striped Magnolia Tank with Skinny jeans and Converese.

The cutest little sisters, Josephine and Lydia Dickerson came out in the purple pelican tee and the blue sea turtle. They were a little shy but precious. 

Handsome Michah Johnson wore our Arrowhead tee and Camo logo hat.

Funny Micheal Phillips joked around on stage and modeled out Duck Taylor Tee and jeans.

And lastly, we had Deleesa Richard modeling the Monarch butterfly tank and tan Buffalo canvas bag.

I wish I had gotten clearer pics of everyone, but was unable. One of the girls helping back stage was able to snag me this pic of the ladies.

It was cool to run into my running buddy Laura Wooden (who ran her first marathon this year!!!) .She was there to support her sister Taylor Brumley who is a freshman at Tech taking this class. 

Fun night out! Glad we could help support this program :) The whole event def deserved an "A"

Thanks for reading,

Love

Lissy

www.mrpstees.com 

Youth Photo Shoot with Neal Hollimon

 When I was a senior at Louisiana Tech, I was lucky enough to of been an Orientation Student Leader. I was actually the 396th OSL leader and I loved doing it!

(Pic of our group minus Craig Bryan- Miss all of you!)

I think I tried out twice before I finally made it. Back then, students didn't get to schedule their classes online, but you had to wait in line to sit down next to someone on a computer and figure it out. Whichever Orientation group was the loudest and most spirited, got to register first!! This was a big deal b/c it meant you may not have to have the dreaded 8'oclock classes. My group was called "Lissy's Mighty Mutts" and my second session won the contest!! Check out the dude in the middle with the red paint and skates on---we called him "Roller Mutt"!!  I think this was back when the shoes with wheels first came out and were popular. There were a handful of freshman during the summer of '01 that came through that I truly clicked with. I liked all of them, but a few have always stood out 14 years later (I am getting OLD OLD OLD). Thanks to social media, Ive been lucky enough to keep up with some of them like Amy Scharf, Leslie Dumas, Lindsey Bergeron and Neal Hollimon. The white arrow is pointing to Neal. Hiding in the back-HA!

    Neal was a Ruston boy who probably didn't have to go to Freshmen Orientation.

He was from the area so he was already familiar with the University. Somehow, he did end up going and actually had a really good time. We became instant friends. Fast forward many years later, and I would get to catch up with him here and there on Facebook or Instagram. He has an established sidewalk business that takes him all over the county, and he began to do photography on the side in his spare time. He takes beautiful pics- especially of children. He had a photograph a few years ago that won the cover of BayouLife Magazine of a girl walking down some train tracks.

Did you remember this one? I was so proud of him when I saw this.

    I asked him to come over and take some pics of Phoebe and Pearson. We needed some images of our newer youth tees and plus it gives me nice prints of our kids. Win-Win! Phoebe and P immediately warmed up to him and his laid back approach.

He joked around with them and kind of let them lead the way. So funny-phoebe ended up laying down in a big patch of Irises by my gold fish pond.

She thought this was the funniest thing! 

Totally not coaxed or prompted. Neal just went with it and got this gorgeous shot above and this one below.

Phoebs in the new American Flag tee. The tee is 100% Organic Cotton. Super soft and Made in the USA. Pretty important, I think,  when you have a tee featuring an American Flag! It was designed in West Monroe, LA and printed in Ruston, LA. 

Earlier, the kids had wandered around in my mothers  back yard snatching up her hot pick azaleas. 

Click Click Click went his camera...

And Voila...

Here she was picking flowers. Love this. So innocent. Shown in a 2t purple magnolia tank. 

Back at our house, We walked around until we found a little patch of shade to get the kids in. 

P in the little v neck brown Arrowhead tee. Shown in a 4t.

Neal just takes nice photographs!

He sent me this one for fun. I was totally not dressed to be in any pics, but love the fact that I now have this one with my #1 girl. 

P in the War Buffalo tee and orange shorts.

Love these two of Phoebe in the purple pelican tee, denim skirt and yellow leggings. Perfect summer outfit or even for an LSU ballgame. 

Neal was a good sport and even carried Phoebe around. 

The kids had a nice morning with him. You will have to check him out on Instagram and Facebook under Neal Hollimon. Thanks Ole Buddy!! 

And, if you like some of the YOUTH tees you saw here, they are available online at www.mrpstees.com or at The Childrens Shoppe in Monroe, LA and in Ruston, LA or at Arrangements Limited & Gifts in Tallulah, LA or at Gypsy Pearl in Rayville, LA. 

Also- don't forget, we will be at The Rivermarket on Sat May 16th from 10am-4pm in Monroe, LA.

Thanks for reading, 

Love

Lissy